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I am a little confused by the batten instructions. On the E2 the instructions say the battens go on the BACK side of the sail. The pic clearly shows a lower spreader so this would be the spreader side. The E3 instructions say the battens go on the BACK side of the kite. Since the pic does not show a spreader I am not sure it they go on the spreader side or the side opposite the spreader.

Could someone clarify the installation position for both the E2 and E3?

Also do the battens flex away or into the sail? I wanted to put them into the sail but they insist on being away. Into the sail I understand could help the shape but if they should be away what is the purpose?

I put the battens on the back of my E2, as you look at it from flying position. Or in other words, on the opposite side of the sail from the spreaders. I flew the kite several months with the battens on the other side, and frankly, I couldn't tell much a difference when I was flying.

The battens do indeed curve out away from the sail. This keeps the sail taught even if the sail stretches a bit after use (quite unlikely with the mylar reinforcement.

Since you asked, I have always put mine on the inside. Yet I have to Arch mine a little bit towards the nose to the Tip. As well as I arch it Outwards Into the sail. Giving it a Nice clean arch as if it was filled with air.

I Have always done it that way from my first E2 back on 03ish to my New one now. As well as Both of my E3's.

My reason is simple, if I miss the roll up catcher that I have on ALL of my kites. The string does not catch the batten as it slides down the leading edge. Leading me to that walk of shame quite as easy. For Myself it is just easier to Undo the rolled up line in the air on one string by doing the maneuver for a Nose away and recover if possible. With the tip wrap Like in the Insane type trick, I think its called???

This I find to be confusing. My E2 was bought new from Steve since the prices dropped so much I couldn't resist any longer. The manual that came with the kite shows the following:

It looks like Prism says battens are on the spreader side. There is a schematic of the kite in the manual which also shows the battens in the same position. The experts say not so... they are on the opposite side. The E3 manual does show the battens to be on the opposite side of the spreaders which led me to ask the original question.

Since I do not have the knowledge base that you have what is the basis for saying the manual is not correct? Just trying to understand why and not questioning your collective wisdom. You haven't led me down the wrong path yet.

Okay I think I got it now. So much for reading the manual. I really don't know how a company that prides itself in kite technology could let both the picture and drawing get into the manual showing the battens in the wrong position. I would have flown the kite with the battens in the wrong position until someone pointed it out. I wonder how many other E2 fliers are doing the same.

I flew my first E2 with the battens wrong until I met up with others at the NE Trick clinic. People in the know set me right. I don't think it makes that much of a difference, really, better to be there on one side or another than not at all...

It probably doesn't, but one thing it will affect is the low wind range. The batten in the correct position works to reduce wash in at the winglet when the wind is not pushing it further out. So in lighter wind this is working to create more lift in the sail.

And as far as the manual goes, is it really that unusual for manuals to be improperly proofread? Not in my experience. Nor books, or magazines or anything else in this day and age.

I flew my first E2 with the battens wrong until I met up with others at the NE Trick clinic. People in the know set me right. I don't think it makes that much of a difference, really, better to be there on one side or another than not at all...

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